Museum of the Bible
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- LocationWashington, DC
- General ContractorClark Construction
- ArchitectSmithGroupJJR
Project Overview
A landmark 1922 refrigeration warehouse was the spot chosen to house the newly built Museum of the Bible. The original building remained an important element in the new design which is 430,000 square foot and cost approximately $400 million to build. A new vertical infill and rooftop addition were incorporated, the design creates a compelling setting befitting the museum’s collection. The train portal is reopened to serve as the museum’s colossally scaled entrance. It is punctuated by a stained glass window displaying a portion of the Great Isaiah Scroll, framed by bronze panels recalling the cold-press type of the Gutenberg Bible. The internal train loading bay is recast as a main lobby arcade, with monumental Jerusalem stone columns and LED displays dominating the 40-foot-high, 140-foot-long ceiling. Atop the building, a scroll of glazing clads a two-story addition housing a theater and ballroom, offering panoramic views of the U.S. Capitol and National Mall.
Of particular note on this project, handmade clay bricks made in Denmark were added to the existing exterior brick for design.